Twelve- year- old Kaavya's face is a study in concentration as she skilfully paints a design in red and black on a mask. Next to her, 18-year-old, Megha Shankar moulds papier-mâché to give the finishing touches to the nose of a face she is sculpting. The artist in charge of the workshop wanders among the participants, guiding them and giving them words of advice.
Arts and crafts seem to have gotten a new lease among youngsters in the city. Be it Salar Jung museum, galleries like Daira and even schools- this summer there is no dearth to art and craft summer camps being organised in the city.
“It is important for children to unleash their creative side,” says Radhika P, whose daughter and son are attending an art camp in the city. “The summer holidays when they are free from school and tuitions is the perfect time.” Thirteen-year-old Charan wants to be a software engineer when he grows up but nevertheless is interested in art and so his father put him in an art camp during his summer vacation. “Art and craft teaches one to appreciate aesthetics, “says Meena Reddy, a parent of two boys . “It also serves as a stress buster and is a life–long skill which offers pleasure.” Children no longer seem pigeonholed into becoming engineers and doctors- art now seems to be an option for many. Since the age of five Megha has been drawing and painting. “At the art camp at Daira I had the opportunity to interact with artists,” she says. “They have really opened up new avenues for me, and inspired me to do a course in fine arts in college.”
G. K Reddy's 16-year-old son has always been interested in art. “Though we have a family business my son is free to pursue what he wants,” he says. “He wants to study art after school and every summer he joins art camps to further hone his skills.”
Art camps nowadays are a whole lot more than just about painting. Sessions on art appreciation are incorporated, children interact with professional artists and try their hand at different techniques and styles be it abstract or landscape.
Daira is taking things a step further by turning part of their premises into a gallery just for school children. Students from different school will be able to display and share their creations with family and friends. Atika Amjad of Daira says, “It will be a platform for children to display their art work as well as become educated in curating.” They aim to make art more accessible and available to children and to educate them about the business of art in India.
